Swimming and Diving Tops CSCAA Academic All-American Rankings

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 16, 2008) - The College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) recently announced its Academic All-American teams for the 2008 spring semester. Under the direction of head coach David Allen, the Mount Holyoke College squad finished atop the women's rankings for NCAA Division III. The Lyons posted a team grade point average of 3.590.

A total of 115 swimming and diving teams from around the nation were honored. The group included 70 women's and 45 men's teams.

"We are absolutely delighted with the performance of our Division III student-athletes," commented Coach Sean Tedesco of the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, who chairs the CSCAA's Academic All-American committee. "It is especially gratifying when you consider that we raised the minimum academic performance threshold this year from 2.80 to 3.00."

Close behind Mount Holyoke were Olivet College (3.574) and New York University (3.540). In all, six women's teams recorded grade point averages over 3.500.

Colorado College also led the combined women's and men's rankings with a score of 3.474, just ahead of New York University (3.450) and Washington & Lee University (3.444).

A total of 85 Division III student-athletes (43 women and 42 men) met the stringent academic and athletic requirements - a grade point average of 3.500 or better and qualifying for the NCAA championships - to earn individual AAA honors. Eight women and six men had perfect 4.00 grade point averages.